Mushroom trimmer



April ,1965 E. K. NQRRIS 3,179,138

MUSHROOM TRIMMER Filed July 51, 1962 6 Sheets-$heet 1 j U W av) I,

Q N INVENTOR.

m yyz w HEW N P 1965 E. K. NORRIS 3,179,138

MUSHROOM TRIMMER Filed July 31, 1962 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2.

I N VEN TOR. 546A K WOlE/S April 20, 1965 E. K. NORRIS MusHRboM TRIMMER 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 31, 1962 April 20, 1965 E. K. NORRIS MUSHROOM TRIMMER 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 31, 1962 INVENTOR.

5 E a R yw ATToeA/EY-S.

E. K. NORRIS 3,179,138

MUSHROOM TRIMMER April 20, 1965 Filed July 31, 1962 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 FIG.

INVENTOR.

494 16, maee/s %W Mm2m 2W g rrae/vsys.

United States Patent 3,179,138 MUSHRGGM TRllMl /IER Earl K. Norris, Gap, Pa., assignor to The Myers Canning This invention pertains to food machinery in general, and more specifically, to machinery adapted for multiple cutting operations on mushrooms, or the like, the purpose of said cutting operations being the removal of the root portion of the mushroom and discharge thereof from the machine, and the severing of the crown portions from the remaining stems of the mushrooms with discharge of said roots and stems into separate receptacles for further processing.

A primary object of the invention is the combination of the aforementioned operations into a unitary machine whereby manual handling of the mushrooms is reduced during preliminary processing in a canning operation. It is currently conventional practice to sever the root from the mushroom in a first operation, and to subsequently transfer the mushroom to a separate machine for severance of the stem from the more desirable crown portion. Circular wheels, having slots to receive the mushrooms, are constantly moved so that the slots carrying the mushrooms (from which the root has been previously severed manually) pass across a blade to sever the stem from the crown, are in widespread usage. This requires that (l) the mushrooms already have the root severed from the stem, and (2) that mushrooms be manually placed in the slots as the wheel rotatesa dangerous, tedious, inaccurate and time-consuming operation. The present invention supplies machinery wherein the mushrooms, with roots attached, are placed in a non-dangerous conveyor and thereafter require no further handling throughout the operations discussed above.

Another advantageous feature of this invention of great importance is that the machinery thereof accommodates mushrooms of a wide range of sizes whereby grading prior to the cutting operation is rendered unnecessary. An additional object is the provision of non-complex, readily serviced machinery of the character specified which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and opcrate, and durable in useinsofar as major components are concerned.

Other and further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following specification when read in conjunction with the annexed drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a machine constructed and assembled in accordance with this invention, foreshortened in part;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged top plan view, partly in cross-section along the section line 2-2 of FIGURE 1, of a portion of said machine;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view along the section line 33 of FIGURE 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged, detail cross-sectional view taken substantially on the section line 4-4 of FIGURE 3, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged, detail sectional view taken substantially along the section line 5-5 of FIGURE 3,

looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURES is a foreshortened, top plan view of the conveyor means forming a part of the machinery;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional View taken substantially along the section line 7-7 of FIGURE 6, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged, detail sectional view through 3,179,138 Patented Apr. 20,1965

said conveyor means, taken substantially along section line 8-8 of FIGURE 7, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of the conveyor belt and drive;

FIGURE 10 is a detail sectional view along the section line 10 10 of FIGURE 3, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIGURE 11 is an exploded perspective view of a spring finger; one of the important elements of this invention.

Proceeding to a description of the invention, from a consideration of the drawings, it will be noted that there is included inter alia an open framework support, a conveyor means, a positioning and handling assembly, drive means, and cutting means.

The supporting framework for the machine is generally designated by reference numeral 2t), and includes a pair of end-to-end tables 22, 24. The table 22 serves as a support for the conveyor mechanism of the invention, and includes legs 26 at its corners which are joined by longitudinal braces 28 and transverse braces 30. The table 24, which supports the remainder of the machinery, also is of generally open, rectangular form, and includes legs 32, longitudinal braces 3 intermediate longitudinal braces 35, and transverse braces 36.

A pair of elongated conveyor table top members 38,

40 extend across the top of the conveyor table 22, said top members each being formed of a pair of L-shaped structural members welded to one another in such fashion as to provide inward shelves 42 and lateral troughs 44- on each side of the conveyor, as best seen in- FIGURE 8. The troughs 44 serve to prevent spillage of materials during placement in the conveyor. The topmembers 38 and 40 are secured to the upper ends of the legs 26, and suitable L-shaped cross braces as, each having a leg portion 48 and a depending foot portion 54 extend therebetween at selected intervals, the leg portions being fixed to members 38 and 40. At the outer end 51 of the table 22, one of the cross braces 4-6 is spaced downwardly, and side-by-side cages 5 2. are interposed between the brace and the side members 3S and 40. These cages 52 have fixed blocks 54- at their inner ends, and carry movable bearing blocks 56. The bearing blocks 56 each has a bearing 58 receiving a vertical shaft 60' on the upper end of which is a wheel 62. A screw shaft M is extended through an aperture in the fixed block 54- :and a lock nut 66 serves to permit selective location of the shaft with respect to. the block 54. Spacer members 6 8 are provided on the vertical shaft on as may be required to fix the height of the wheels 62 above the table. A pair of side-by-side fixed shaft supports 70 are secured to one of the cross braces 46 intermediate the ends of theitable as by bolt and nut means 72, andinclude bearings 74. Vertical shafts 76 mounted in said bearings carry, wheels 78 maintained in longitudinal alignment with the wheels 62 by spacers 80.

Belts 82 are trained about the co-aligned wheels of eaeh pair62 and .78 and may be loosened or tightened by selective longitudinal movement of the pair of wheels62. Each belt comprises a body portion 34 having a smooth inner side surface 86 and an outer surface with alternating ridges 88 and grooves 91? extending longitudinally thereabout. On each belt 82, a pair of vertically spaced holder belts 92 formed of soft foam rubber or similar material are provided, and each includes an inward projecting portion 94 which fits Within the outer two of thegrooves 90. A central groove 91 between the holder belts 92 serves a purpose described in detail below.

Adjacent the inner or proximal end 91 of the table 22 andinwardly of thepair of wheels 78, a pair of bearing blocks 96 are provided, each including a bearing 98 and in section.

belts 82 between the holder belts 92.

39 vertical shaft 1%. One of said bearing blocks 96 is spaced from the adjacent cross brace 46 (to which both are connected) by a block 192 whereby the shafts are transversely staggered. Wheels TM are mounted on the shafts and located by spacers 1% in an horizontal plane below that of the wheels 62 and 78.

The table 22 is connected to the table 24 by means of a plurality of screw shafts 108 extending between the adjacent braces 3d and 36 (FIGURE 7) and lock nuts are provided whereby the distance between the tables is selectively variable.

As seen in FIGURES 6 and 7, the top members 38 and 4d of the table 22 project outwardly a sutlicient distance such that they rest upon the top cross brace 110 of the table 24 which is preferably of inverted channel shape Fixed to the inner side of the brace 11d are a pair of side-by-side bearing blocks 112 having bearings 114. The bearings 114. carry elongated, vertical shafts 116 which have a pair of intermediate wheels 118 thereon in horizontal alignment with the wheels 124 on the shafts 76. Positioning belts 120 are trained about the longitudinally aligned wheels of the pairs 164 and 118, and as seen in FIGURE 7 occupy an horizontal plane below that of the belts 82. The positioning belts 120 perform a function in the conveyor operation dealt with more fully below.

Extending upwardly from the table 24 adjacent the end thereof connected to the table 22 is an inverted, first U- shaped bracket 122 secured to slotted plates 124, 126. The plate 124 is fixed to one of the side braces 34 and the plate 126 is fixed to the intermediate brace 35, the first bracket being connected by bolt assemblies 128 for adjustment in the slots of said plates. The bracket has bearing means 130 through which shafts 116 extend, and drive pulley wheels 132 are mounted on the upper ends of the shafts. A second upstanding bracket 134 is secured to the plates 124 and 126, and includes a pair of bearing means 136 which support side-by-side vertical shafts 138 having wheels 146} mounted at their lower ends.

The pair of wheels 140 are in lonigtudinal alignment with the pairs of wheels 62 and 73 and elongated, endless spring members 142 are trained about the aligned wheels of each pair. As seen in FIGURES 8 and 9, the spring members are received in the grooves 90 of the In FIGURE 6, viewing the conveyor assembly from above, it will be noted that the path of travel of the spring members 142 is generally in vertical alignment with and above that of the positioning belts 120.

The shafts 138 each has an upper pulley wheel 144 of a diameter greater than that of the wheels 132 with which they are aligned, and the shafts have intermediate pulley wheels 1146 connected by means of a belt drive transmission system 148 to a drive motor of any suitable type. Since the manner of supplying rotary movement to the shafts 138 is subject to variance and is clearly shown in the drawings (particularly FIGURE 1) further descrip- 7 tion is unnecessary. The wheels of each shaft rotate in opposite directions whereby the belts of each pair are adapted to convey materials gripped therebetween in the same direction, and due to the increased speed of rotation of the wheels 132 occasioned by their diminuted size relative to the wheels 144, the belts 120 move at a greater rate of speed than the belts 82.

I may be accommodated, and the mushrooms are securely gripped without damage. At the discharge end of the belts 82, the mushrooms are conveyed a short distance by the springs 142, the crowns C resting thereon, until the stems S come between and are engaged by the belts which serve to speed the movement and prevent backup or accumulation at this point. The mushrooms are then again discharged onto the chains as shown in FIG- URE 7 at the termination of the belts 129.

The table 24 (as shown in FIGURES l and 3) has an upright element 152 secured to the longitudinal brace 34 on one side, and a similar upright structural element 154- secured to a parallel brace 3411 at an intermediate location. Upper and lower slide members 158, Ind disposed between elements 152 and 154 and the respective adjacent legs 32 of the table, and movable bearings 162 are mounted therebetween for adjustable sliding movement. Positioning of the bearings 162 is controlled by screw shafts 164.

An idler axle 166 is rotatably mounted in the bearings 1&2 and carries a pair of side-by-side, toothed idler sprockets 163. At the opposite end of the table 24 the legs 32 each has a fixed bearing 1'70 longitudinally aligned with the bearings 162. A drive axle 172 extends through said bearing 17th and has a pulley wheel 174 at its outer ends, connected by belt 176 to motor 159 through conventional belt-type transmission means.

Drive axle 1'72 carries a pair of side-by-side, toothed drive sprockets 178 aligned with the sprockets 163. Link chains 18%) comprising laterally spaced flexible members are trained about the aligned sprockets, and (FIGURE 11) include alternating standard links 182 and special links 184 having inward facing plates 13% of extended height which are apertured at 123. Secured to each plate 186 is a spring finger 128 which is generally L-shaped, and has a leg portion 192 and an inward foot portion 334. The distal end of the leg portion 192 is apertured at 1% for connection to the plates by bolt and nut assemblies 1% extended through apertures I96 and 183 whereby the fingers are movable for repair or replacement. The distal end of the foot portion 194 has a rounded, rebent end 200, and as seen in FIGURE 10, the fingers are installed in such manner that the rebent ends 2% of the fingers of each chain 180 are adjacent one another. The fingers on each chain 189 are, of course, transversely aligned, as best seen in FIGURE 2. The fingers 1% are preferably formed of highly resilient spring steel, or the like.

The axle 166 which rotates with the sprockets 168 carries a vertical wheel 262 interposed betweensaid sprockets and rotatable therewith. A similar vertical wheel 2% is carried by a transverse axle 2% supported in side mounted bearings 268 on medial uprights 210 at'each side of the chains. An elevator belt 212 is trained about said wheels 202 and 204, for a purpose described below.

Referring to FIGURE 4, secured to the uppermost braces 34 and 34a are vertical, depending struts 212 which have inward lips 214 at their lower ends. At selected intervals, upper transverse cross pieces 216 extend between the uppermost braces 34 and 34a, and lower cross pieces 218 are connected by bolt assemblies 226} to the lips 214. A pair of longitudinal chain guides 222 are welded along the upper cross pieces 216 to prevent sagging of the chain between the sprockets in the manner best seen in FIGURES 4 and 5.

The upper cross piece 215 adjacent the entrance portion 217 of the chain assembly, as seen in FIGURE 3, has a pair of support plates 224 secured thereto at its sides each with its upper edges shaped to conform generally with the paths of travel of the fingers 190. To the plates 224 is fixed a first finger spreader 226 comprising a loop of heavy wire extended downwardly to follow said path of travel. The first spreader serves to force the resilient fingers 1% apart so that a space of substantial width occurs between the rebent ends 280 at the entrance portion 217 of the device. The mushrooms M are discharged from the spring 142 and between the spread fingers with the crowns C of the mushrooms resting on the rebent ends 2% thereof. As the fingers move past the spreader 226, the resiliency of the fingers causes same to close gently but firmly against the stems S, and proper alignment is insured by exterior guide rods 227 mounted on the braces 34, 34a and bearing against the leg portions 192 of the fingers as they pass therebetween. As seen in FIGURE 3, the roots R are thereafter brought against the elevator, belt 212 which urges the mushrooms upwardly until, at the end of the belt 212, a generally uniform distance between the ends of the root R and the ends 280 of the fingers exists.

Adjacent the medial upright 210, the lower. cross piece 218 has a centrally located bearing assembly 228 secured thereto, and the upper cross piece 216 carries a co-aligned bearing 230. A vertical shaft 232 is rotatably mounted in the bearing 228, 231i and has a pulley wheel 234 thereon with a drive belt 236 connected to drive wheel 237 on a cutting motor 239. Secured to the extreme upper end of the shaft is a circular root severing blade 238 arranged just beneath the paths of travel of the fingers 190, as seen in FIGURE 5, and adapted to sever the roots R of the mushrooms fingers 1%.

A chute assembly 240, including a downwardly angled, substantially rectangular slide 242 connected at one end to the chain guide 222 by a flange 244 and having side members 246, directs the cut roots R to a disposal receptacle 248 as indicated in dotted lines in FIGURE 2.

The mushrooms M with the stems attached but roots severed therefrom are conveyed past the blade 238 by the fingers 190 to an elevator alignment assembly 251) which includes a pair of elevator rods 252 and 254. The rods 252 and 254 (FIGURE 2) each includes vertical legs.

256 mounted on the braces 34 and 34a; integral, first horizontal inward arms 258, 260; horizontal longitudinal arms 262, 264 coinciding generally with the paths of travel of the fingers and inclined upwardly from the first arms 258 and 260; and second horizontal inward arms 2&6, 263. Positioned subjacent the elevator assembly 25%) are upper and lower finger spreaders each comprising bowed upper .and lower rods 2'70, 272, best seen in FIG- URE 4, secured to the cross pieces 216 and 21S and arranged to force the fingers 190'apart. The upper rods 270 permit the crowns C of the mushrooms M to slide along the elevator arms 262, 264 of the elevator 25% by loosening the grip of the fingers on the stems so that the mushrooms are elevated to a uniform height for severance of the crown. A stem discharge chute 274, having an enlarged entrance hopper 2'76 and delivery opening 278 is secured to the brace 34 by bolts 2% as seen in FIGURE 4, and is located beneath the spreader rods 27%, 272.

A horizontal brace 282 extends between an extension 284 of one of the legs 32, and a vertical support 286 at the forward end of the table 24. A hearing 288 is secured to the brace 282 and carries a vertical shaft 2% having a circular crown blade 292 fixed to its lower end. Pulley wheel assembly 294 is fixed to the upper end of this shaft and connected by bolt 2% to drive wheel 2% ofi the motor 239.

A crown hopper assembly 3% including a rectangular top wall 392 fixed to the brace 232 by a bracket 384, side walls 308, vertical back wall 316, and a bottom wall 312 sloped away from the device provides for discharge of the severed crowns.

As will be seen from the foregoing, the machinery provides for efficient and uncomplicated handling of the mushrooms during the operations discussed above, and by reason of the arrangement of conveyor belts, chain-type positioning and handling means, elevating assemblies, and cutting blades, provides for uniform severance of the mushrooms at desired location regardless of the size thereof. Having described and illustrated one embodiment of this invention, it should be understood that this embodiment and illustration is oifered merely by way of M as they are conveyed thereover by the example, and that the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the appended claims.

What is claimed is: r 1. Machinery for cutting foods which include a root, a stem, and an upper portion, said machinery comprising, in combination:

(a) horizontally arranged conveyor means including a 1 pair of side-byside moving belts, said belts being spaced apart a suificient distance such that stems of a variety of diameters may be inserted therebetween and gripped thereby; (b) the conveyor means having a discharge end; (c) an elongated positioning and handling assembly comprising a pair of laterally spaced flexible members arranged to engage the foods at the discharge end of the conveyor means; (a!) drive means for the flexible members; i (c) said flexible members carrying a plurality of pairs of spring fingers including inwardly projecting gripping end portions constantly biased toward one another, and adapted for movement, in part, in a horizontal path of travel; (f) first elevator means for elevating said foods in said fingers to provide a uniform distance between the root of the food and the gripping end portion;

(g) a root severing blade spaced from said gripping end portions whereby the roots of the foods are uniformly severed upon contact therewith;

(h) second elevator means, including an end, adapted to elevate said foods so that the upper portions thereof are disposed in linear alignment; and

(i). a bladefor severing the upper portions from the stems adjacent the end of the second elevator means.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said first elevator means comprises:

(a) a moving belt positioned beneath thepath of travel and inclined with respect to the path of travel.

3. The combination of claim 1, wherein said second elevator means comprises:

(a) a pair of upwardly inclined elevator bars above the path of travel of the springfingers adapted to elevate said foods by contact with the upper portions.

4. The combination of claim 1, and:

(a) means between said fingers for spreading the same apart, the last named means being located adjacent said discharge end of said conveyor means.

5. The combination of claim 1, and:

(a) means located beneath said second elevator means for spreading said fingers apart.

6. Machinery for cutting foods which include at least a root, a stem, and an upper portion, the machinery comprising:

(a) horizontally arranged conveyor means including a pair of side-by-side belts;

(b) the conveyor means having a discharge end;

(c) each of the belts including a pair of upper and lower holder belts of highly resilient material, and a drive spring means disposed between the holder belts;

(d) an elongated positioning and handling assembly comprising a pair of laterally spaced flexible members constantly biased toward one another arranged to engage the foods at the discharge end of the conveyor means;

(e) drive means for the flexible members;

(1) said flexible members carrying a plurality of laterally aligned spring fingers including inwardly projecting gripping end portions adapted for movement, in part, in a horizontal path of travel;

(g) first elevator means for elevating said foods in said fingers to provide a uniform distance between the root of the food and the fingers;

(h) said first elevator means comprising a moving belt positioned beneath the path of travel and inclined with respect thereto;

(1') a root severing blade spaced from said gripping savages '7 means whereby the roots of the foods are uniformly severed upon contact therewith;

(j) second elevator means, including an end, adapted to elevate said foods so that the upper portions thereof are disposed in generally linear alignment;

(k) said second elevator means comprising a pair of upwardly inclined elevator bars above the path of travel to elevate said food by contact with said upper portions; and

(l) a blade for severing the upper portions from the stems adjacent the end of the second elevator means.

7. Food machinery for cutting mushrooms and the like having a stem, a root, and a crown, the machinery comprising:

(a) a first conveying means including belts moving in side-by-side relation and spaced apart a sufiicient distance to receive the stems therebetween and to convey same;

(b) spring means for driving each belt, the spring means being of a greater length than the belts;

(c) the belts having a discharge end;

(d) moving positioning belts at the discharge end, moving at a greater rate of speed than the first named belts, the spring means being located above the positioning belts;

(e) the positioning belts having a discharge end;

(f) a pair of laterally spaced, moving flexible members carrying inturned fingers arranged to grip the mushroom stems upon discharge from the positioning belts;

(g) first elevator means, comprising a horizontally inclined, moving belt, to move the mushrooms in the fingers to provide a substantially uniform distance between the roots and the fingers;

(h) a root severing blade adjacent the first elevator;

(1') second elevation means, comprising inclined bars engaged by the crowns, elevating the crowns to substantially linear alignment; and

(j) a blade, located above the fingers, for severing the crowns from the stems.

8. Food machinery as defined in claim 7, and:

(a) means for spreading the fingers apart in substantially vertical alignment with the second elevator means.

9. Food machinery for cutting mushrooms and the like having a stem, a root, and a crown, the machinery comprising:

(a) a first conveying means adapted to receive the stems and to convey same;

(b) the conveying means having a discharge end;

(0) positioning means at the discharge end of the first conveying means, moving at a greater rate of speed than the first named means and conveying the mushrooms upon discharge from the first conveying means;

(d) a pair of laterally spaced flexible members carrying inturned fingers arranged to grip the mushroom stems upon discharge from the positioning means;

(e) first elevator means to move the mushrooms in the fingers to provide a substantially uniform distance between the roots and the fingers;

(f) a root severing blade adjacent the first elevator means;

(g) second elevator means to elevate the crowns to substantially linear alignment; and

(h) a blade located above the fingers, severing the crowns from the stems.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,166,083 12/15 Russell l46--8 5 XR 1,914,621 6/33 Sieman 146-85 XR 2,806,498 9/57 Baker 146--81 2,854,083 9/58 Wetzel.

J. SPENCER OVERHOLSER, Primary Examiner. 

1. MACHINERY FOR CUTTING FOODS WHICH INCLUDE A ROOT, A STEM, AND AN UPPER PORTION, SAID MACHINERY COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: (A) HORIZONTALLY ARRANGED CONVEYOR MEANS INCLUDING A PAIR OF SIDE-BY-SIDE MOVING BELTS, SAID BELTS BEING SPACED APART A SUFFICIENT DISTANCE SUCH THAT STEMS OF A VARIETY OF DIAMETERS MAY BE INSERTED THEREBETWEEN AND GRIPPED THEREBY; (B) THE CONVEYOR MEANS HAVING A DISCHARGE END; (C) AN ELONGATED POSITIONING AND HANDLING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A PAIR OF LATERALLY SPACED FLEXIBLE MEMBERS ARRANGED TO ENGAGE THE FOODS AT THE DISCHARGE END OF THE CONVEYOR MEANS; (D) DRIVE MEANS FOR THE FLEXIBLE MEMBERS; (E) SAID FLEXIBLE MEMBERS CARRYING A PLURALITY OF PAIRS OF SPRING FINGERS INCLUDING INWARDLY PROJECTING GRIPPING END PORTIONS CONSTANTLY BIASED TOWARD ONE ANOTHER, AND ADAPTED FOR MOVEMENT, IN PART, IN A HORIZONTAL PATH OF TRAVEL; (F) FIRST ELEVATOR MEANS FOR ELEVATING SAID FOODS IN SAID FINGERS TO PROVIDE A UNIFORM DISTANCE BETWEEN THE ROOT OF THE FOOD AND THE GRIPPING END PORTION; (G) A ROOT SEVERING BLADE SPACED FROM SAID GRIPPING END PORTIONS WHEREBY THE ROOTS OF THE FOODS ARE UNIFORMLY SEVERED UPON CONTACT THEREWITH; (H) SECOND ELEVATOR MEANS, INCLUDING AN END, ADAPTED TO ELEVATE SAID FOODS SO THAT THE UPPER PORTIONS THEREOF ARE DISPOSED IN LINEAR ALIGNMENT; AND (I) A BLADE FOR SEVERING THE UPPER PORTIONS FROM THE STEMS ADJACENT THE END OF THE SECOND ELEVATOR MEANS. 